What Using Linux has Taught Me (about computers)

1. Put it somewhere safe
You are going to lose it all. Whether because you want to try a new distro on a whim or you don't feel like re-creating the root folder you nuked, you are going to lose it all. Take it all, make a copy and put it somewhere safe. Do it all the time. Store it safely.
2. It's probably not that important
Even when you do lose it all, you quickly learn that if it was really important, someone else would already have it and all you'd have to do is ask for it.
3. Ask for help
You are not so special and unique that no-one has ever been through the same hell. Someone else has the same hardware. Tons of people have the same software. They've done it before you and they want to help.
4. There is another way
So, it's not terminally easy to get MS Office or whatever you're used to. And?
5. Compile from source
Even if you follow step-by-step instructions as verified by three or four different forums on how to do this, pick a piece of software and do it. You'll feel better about yourself even at just sneaking a glimpse of what it's made of.